Welcome to the heartwarming tradition of Bites on Boards! In our family, we believe in the magic of coming together around a carefully crafted food board, savouring each bite, and sharing stories. We do this once a week, typically on a weekend day. This cherished tradition has now inspired me to share the experience with you through a series of culinary creations that promise to delight your senses and awaken your palate.
I’m thrilled to kick off this Bites on Boards series with Board #1 – Sunrise Symphony – that is a great option for breakfast or brunch.
In this assortment of flavours, the creamy cheeses complement the smoked salmon’s depth, while the vibrant produce adds a refreshing contrast. The array of capers, caperberries, and olives brings a burst of tanginess to the board.
Below you have a list of all the ingredients used. The quantities will depend on how big your charcuterie board or platter is. The board pictured in this post is 74 cm (29’’) x 28 cm (11’’).
Cheese
- Fresh Spanish Cheese (25% Milk Fat, 55% Moisture): This cheese embodies a balance of creaminess and moisture, acting as a delightful bridge between different components on the board, enhancing their individual profiles.
Meat, Cold Cuts, Fish & Eggs
- Hardboiled Eggs: The humble hardboiled egg is a versatile canvas for a range of flavours. Its simplicity contrasts beautifully with the more complex ingredients, creating a satisfying balance.
- Apple Cider Smoked Salmon: The apple cider infusion imparts a subtly sweet note to the smoked salmon, accentuating its richness and providing a hint of complexity.
- Smoked Steelhead Salmon: With its robust flavour and tender texture, the smoked steelhead salmon brings a depth of taste that pairs exceptionally well with the cheeses and bread varieties.
Bread & Beyond
- White Rustic Buns with Potatoes: These buns, studded with potatoes, offer a comforting bite that acts as a hearty base for the toppings, adding substance to each mouthful.
- Kaiser Buns with Sesame Seeds: The nuttiness of sesame seeds complements the cheeses and spreads, while the soft interior of the kaiser buns contrasts pleasingly with the crunchy texture.
Fresh & Vibrant
- Avocado, Half and Slices: Creamy avocado brings a lush, velvety texture to the board, while its mild taste harmonizes effortlessly with the various ingredients, adding a touch of freshness to every bite.
- Red Onion, Slices: The sharpness of red onion slices imparts a zesty kick that cuts through the richness of cheeses and proteins, enhancing the overall balance of flavours.
- Cucumber, Slices: With its crispness and high water content, cucumber offers a refreshing contrast that cleanses the palate between bites and contributes a cool, hydrating element.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with sweetness, cherry tomatoes provide vibrant pops of colour and a burst of juiciness, creating a lively visual and taste experience.
- Campari Tomatoes, Slices: Campari tomatoes’ meaty texture and well-balanced acidity add substance and a touch of tang to each mouthful.
Dips & Spreads
- Cream Cheese with Chives: The tangy cream cheese melds seamlessly with the fresh burst of chives, adding a delightful punch of flavour to your bites. It pairs wonderfully with both buns and vegetables, offering a versatile foundation for your creations.
- Cream Cheese with Salmon: The creamy richness of the cheese perfectly complements the delicate, smoky notes of salmon, creating a harmonious marriage of textures and tastes.
- Whipped Cream Cheese with Herbs: Light and airy, the whipped cream cheese showcases a medley of herbs, infusing a fragrant aroma and a refreshing finish that elevates each element it accompanies.
Tasty Additions
- Capers: These briny flavour bombs provide a burst of tang that enhances the richness of cheeses and seafood, adding complexity to each bite.
- Caperberries: Larger and milder than capers, caperberries contribute a pleasant crunch and a balanced tang that pairs well with various ingredients.
- Olives – Green and Kalamata with Herbs: The herb-infused olives, both green and Kalamata, offer a savoury contrast, bringing an umami depth that harmonizes with the other elements.
- Red Currants: These little gems introduce a burst of tartness and a vibrant hue that brings a dynamic dimension to the board, playing off the other flavours in a delightful way.
Finishing Touches
- Dill or Chives
- Salt and Pepper
- Lemon Slices
I hope you found this Sunrise Symphony board inspiring, the journey has only just begun. Brace yourselves for the upcoming boards that promise to be a captivating continuation of this culinary adventure. For those eager to explore and for those who relish in discovering new tastes, Bites on Boards is here to take you on a mouthwatering expedition.
Stay connected, stay curious, and most importantly, stay hungry for more. Your palate won’t want to miss what’s on the horizon. Until then, let the flavours linger and the anticipation build. Happy indulging! 🍽️🍷🎉
